Jonny Wilkinson reprieve but Tindall ruled out

The England camp breathed a sigh of relief last night when news came through that fly-half Jonny Wilkinson had not been cited for the tackle on flanker Jonathan Thomas, who was led from the field dazed and bloodied during Wales' Saturday's 26-19 victory at Twickenham on Saturday.

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The loss of Wilkinson would have stripped the side of yet more experience, even though the Newcastle fly-half is coming under pressure for his place from the 20-year-old Wasps rookie, Danny Cipriani, who made his debut when replacing Tindall in the 64th minute.

Wilkinson, a renowned tough tackler, appeared to hit Thomas with a swinging arm as the Ospreys back-rower drove forward early in the game.

However, Thomas was already leaning down into contact at the time and Wilkinson followed through to complete the tackle.

The citing officer, former Ireland international referee John West, had to decide if the incident merited a red card.

If he had done so, Wilkinson would have faced a disciplinary hearing either today or tomorrow and the prospect of being banned for the first time in his career.